Saint Martin parades scheduled throughout the Eifel area Published Nov. 7, 2008 By Iris Reiff 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Each November local townspeople host colorful torch-lit processions in honor of Saint Martin. According to legend, Martin was born early in the fourth century to an officer in the military administration of the Emperor Constantine in Szombathel, Hungary. He led a good Christian life while growing up, then served his time in the Roman Imperial Army. Although other officers mistreated soldiers and slaves, Martin was kind and distributed what he could save from his pay to the poor. While riding outside the gates of Amiens, France he encountered a freezing beggar who asked for help, but Martin had already given all his pay to the poor. He drew his sword, cut his tunic in two and gave half to the beggar. The following night, Christ appeared to Martin and said, "What you have done to the least of my brothers, you have done to me." Martin felt the Lord's love and was baptized. Saint Martin's Day is always Nov. 11; however, most communities in the area will host their procession days prior to Nov. 11 or days after Saint Martin's Day. During the procession, children carry colorful lanterns, either hand-made or purchased at German stores. The favorites are usually the St. Martin goose, moons, churches or other motifs. Most parades take place between 5 and 7 p.m. Following the parades, people often walk to a local town hall or fire station for a raffle and beverages. American families always are welcome to participate in the Saint Martin's Day activities. The colorfully illuminated procession usually ends with a bonfire, and all children receive sugar pretzels from local officials, and sometimes by Saint Martin riding a horse. 10 November 5 p.m.: at the Bitburg St. Martin school 5:30 p.m.: at the Wittlich-Wengerohr St. Peter church; Birgel Haus Esch 5:45 p.m.: at the Kyllburg Stifts church 6 p.m.: at the Dudeldorf St. Martin church, Speicher St. Philippus and Jakobus church, Juenkerath church, Biersdorf am See Kornmarkt/Muehlenstrasse intersection, Waxweiler St. Johannes der Taeufer church, Speicher church, Bitburg-Moetsch church, Deudesfeld Fire Department, Hillesheim St. Martin church, Irrel St. Ambrosius church, Olzheim church, Pruem St. Salvator Basilika, Schoenecken church 6:15 p.m.: at the Neuerburg (Bitburg county) St. Nikolaus church 6:30 p.m.: at the Eckfeld church, Utscheid church, Alsdorf St. Peter church 7 p.m.: at the Brandscheid community hall, Steffeln-Aueln intersection 8 p.m.: at the Grosslangenfeld community hall 11 November 5 p.m. at Neuerburg (Bitburg county) Hans-Theis-Strasse 5:30 p.m.: at the Bitburg Grundschule Elementary School North, Nattenheim church 6 p.m.: at the Oberkail church, Niederöfflingen "Wilhelm-Hees Halle," Neroth St. Wendelinus church, Daun Freiherr-vom-Stein-Strasse/Rosenbergstrasse, Wolfsfeld church 6:30 p.m.: at the Bitburg Child Care Center "Altes Gymnasium," Idenheim Dorfplatz, Bleialf Maria Himmelfahrt church 7 p.m.: at the Fleringen community hall and Steffeln St. Michael church 12 November 6:30 p.m. at the Auw community hall 6:45 p.m. at the Pantenburg church 7 p.m. at the Wallscheid Kindergarten 13 November 6 pm. at the Weinsheim church 14 November 5:30 p.m. at the Körperich St. Hubertus church 6 p.m.: at the Gerolstein church Roth, Habscheid St. Luzia church, Kruchten St. Maximin church, Plütscheid "Raiffeisenlager, Reichertsberg, in Landscheid 6:45 p. m. at the Ammeldingen St. Isidor church 7 p.m.: at the Ferschweiler "Gasthaus Eifeler Hof," St. Martin parade in Binsfeld, ask the community or the voluntary fire department "Freiwillige Feuerwehr" for more information 15 November 5:30 p.m. at the Metterich church 5:45 p.m. at the Lasel "Feuerwehrgerätehaus" fire station tool shed 6 p.m.: at the Salm church, Sarmersbach community hall, Eisenschmitt "Sportplatz" sports field, Lichtenborn church 7 p.m. at the Niederlauch church 7:30 p.m. at the Lauperath Gartenstrasse, next to the proterty Eckertz in Scheidchen